Recent advances in ischemic stroke management

ABSTRACT

There have been recent advances in the hyperacute treatment and secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. Thrombolysis with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator has been approved for a 3 to 4.5 hour time window, but the recent controversy over the optimal dose has not been resolved. Five endovascular trials published in 2015 have shown dramatically positive results. Regarding secondary prevention of ischemic stroke, a study suggesting the beneficial effect of a short course of dual antiplatelet therapy has been published. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulation agents have been approved for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Here, we review these recent advances in ischemic stroke management.